|
Disappointed Dutch upset with finish
Posted: Sunday July 12, 1998 11:26 AM
| |
The Dutch admitted that getting excited about Saturday's game with Croatia was difficult after losing to Brazil (AP) |
PARIS (Reuters) -- With echoes of 1974, the Dutch left the World Cup as
most neutrals' favorite team but with a feeling that they had not quite
reached their full potential.
Their final placing of fourth was not what coach Guus Hiddink had wanted
but he was at least happy with the way it was achieved.
"After the disappointment you have to say that our style has impressed
the world and that's what I'm proud of," Hiddink said.
His comments came after the Dutch lost 2-1 to Croatia in
Saturday's third=place match, having gone out on penalties to Brazil in the
semifinal.
Back in 1974, the Dutch lost 2-1 in the final to West Germany in
Munich but were regarded by many as the best team not to have won the World
Cup.
If the present Dutch squad lacked a Johan Cruyff or a Johan Neeskens,
they had something most of the rest on view in France did not
-- a unified approach to play and teamwork.
Ironically, it was their very lack of harmony off the pitch that proved
the Dutch downfall in the European championship two years ago when Hiddink
was also the coach.
This time there were no training camp disputes and few would disagree
that the Dutch played attacking, attractive and creative football.
"It was very important to keep to the philosophy. I don't know if I'd
have been happy with a World Cup won in a bad way. We couldn't have done
that," Hiddink said.
Had they won, of course, things may have been different. Saturday's
parting shot was a disappointing affair and the Dutch have no wish to be
remembered as fourth best.
"We wanted to complete the tournament without a defeat but it did not
happen," Hiddink said ruefully.
Few had their minds fully on the task on Saturday.
"We lost our sharpness. It went after Brazil. We were so empty after the
semifinal. It's hard then to play at 100 percent," said captain Frank de
Boer.
The Dutch had an indifferent start to the tournament, an excellent middle
and a bitterly disappointing end.
"I'm just looking forward to going home," said Phillip Cocu, echoing the
thoughts of many in the squad.
The semifinal was indeed a bitter blow. The Dutch matched Brazil for 120
minutes and had most of the possession but things did not go their way in
the penalty shootout.
The Dutch can consider themselves unlucky in not having such a key figure
as winger Marc Overmars fit until the end but they were not alone in losing
a vital element. Brazil made it to the final without Romario, the
outstanding player in their 1994 World Cup triumph.
The dice have indeed rolled in their favor at times. Yugoslavia's
Predrag Mijatovic missed a penalty against them in the second round,
becoming the first player in eight years to miss a regular spot kick at the
finals.
Argentina's
Ariel Ortega foolishly had himself sent off in their quarterfinal
encounter.
Of those fit to play, Dennis Bergkamp fell a little short of his billing
though he had his moments, notably his supreme goal against Argentina, one
of the best of the tournament.
Jaap Stam, who became the world's most expensive defender when he signed
for Manchester United, still has to justify his $17-million price tag.
Two players though, Frank de Boer and Edgar Davids, can reflect on an
exceptional World Cup.
On the whole, things bode well for the future. "The team have gained a
lot of experience and will be strong in 2000," said Hiddink.
Perhaps then, the Dutch, joint hosts with Belgium of the
2000 European championship, will be able to stress the end as well as the
means.
Copyright 2003 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.
| 
